State Urban Forest Resilience

The State Urban Forest Resilience (SUFR) Funding Grant seeks to restore and improve urban forests due to catastrophic losses from the Emerald Ash Borer while building resiliency through tree diversity and the protection of existing trees. Donor Name: Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funds from this grant are to be used for management and reforestation that includes tree planting, tree removals and treatments of threatened trees. Funding Information Your request for project funds must be for a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000. The overall level of funds available is $148,066. Ash Tree Removal-Removal of EAB infested or dead Ash trees. If your project includes Ash tree removals, it must be paired with planting at least two trees for every one tree that is removed. All trees to be removed must be Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) Any trees that will be removed must present a significant and present harm to the community. To receive reimbursement for tree removals, a report signed by an ISA Certified Arborist is REQUIRED. You may substitute a report with an up-to-date tree inventory. However, you must provide the name, qualifications, and certifications of the one who prepared the inventory. Your application must include the location and number of trees to be removed, cost estimates, a tree planting plan to replace the trees that were removed and an updated tree inventory or report from an ISA Certified Arborist. Ash Tree Treatment-Insecticidal treatments may be performed on Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). To receive reimbursement for Ash tree treatments, a report signed by an ISA Certified Arborist is REQUIRED. You may substitute a report with an up-to-date tree inventory. However, you must provide the name, qualifications, and certifications of the one who prepared the inventory. Your application must include the location and number of trees to be treated, cost estimates and an updated tree inventory or report from an ISA Certified Arborist. Any tree to be treated for the EAB must at least be in good-fair overall condition or less than 30% canopy thinning as stated in the signed report or inventory. Tree Planting & Community Engagement: Any tree planting project MUST include community engagement. If you already have a community engagement plan/program, please include it in your application. All grant recipients will work closely with the CUF team to develop a community engagement strategy that is unique to your community and its needs. The specifics of this strategy will develop as your project does but keep this requirement in mind as you complete this application. Tree plantings may be used to restore urban forests due to losses from EAB and other pests and diseases and build resiliency through tree diversity. Note that 100% of the project trees must be species native to Indiana. Additionally, this grant cannot be used for the purchase of trees in the Acer genus (maples). Exceptions shall be made if a current inventory and management plan demonstrates your Acer population is less than 5% of the overall tree community. In that case, no more than 5% of the total grant project trees are to be of the genus Acer.  Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be a: Municipality: As defined under IC 369-1-2 a municipality is a city, town, township, county, school corporation, library district, local housing authority, fire protection district, public transportation corporation, local building authority, local hospital authority or corporation, local airport authority, special service district, or other separate local government entities that may sue or be sued. It does not include special taxing districts. Non-profit 501(c)3: Organization as defined under IC 23-7-1.1. Non-profit organizations must include documentation of their not-for-profit status. Things to consider before applying: Only applicants who can provide proof of a fully updated (5 years or less) tree inventory are eligible for this grant.  All project aspects must take place on public property. All project types must include tree planting. The Project Coordinator and the ISA Certified Arborist can be the same person. For more information, visit DNR.